Announcement

**Tom in PGH** · 09-23-2019, 07:06 PM

I have the Andersen and I love it. Easy to install/take out, very light weight. We have the 303RLS, which is just under 12,000# of trailer. I’m pulling with an F350 6.7, no problems at all. I had the factory install the fifth-wheel prep (brand new truck) and use the factory ball. It has a lifting retainer, so you just lift if out when you don’t need it and put in a plug, leaving a perfectly flat bed for whatever else you want to do.

Never really looked at anything else, since both the trailer and truck were brand new and I just speced them at the same time.

**CloseToRetirement** · 09-23-2019, 07:19 PM

Hi Barry,

I used to run the Andersen setup on my Solitude with my 2015 F350 SRW LB. I ran the adapter aft of the pin because I had a 8 ft box. Over the 3 years of running the setup I was very happy with it's use. Fairly simple to hook and unhook, little to no chucking while towing and very light weight.

Once I moved to the dually, I decided on the B&W Companion because I had the payload to accommodate it. I also ran into an issue with the spray-in bed liner on the new truck and couldn't get the Andersen to be silent while towing any longer even with their assistance to try some different torque settings. I gained 15" of horizontal bed space moving to the Companion too.

Customer service at Andersen was always great. The topic of chains or no chains with the Andersen has always been a concern with me as some states enforce them and most don't.

Good luck! I think you will be pleased with the Andersen.

Cheers,
Lyle

**Marauderer** · 09-24-2019, 05:05 AM

Thanks Tom and Lyle for your input I appreciate that. I ordered a B & W gooseneck hitch and the Andersen top piece yesterday and a wiring harness and I did order the chains as I just felt that I should get them. After reading your input Lyle it's a good thing I had that because I don't know what states I'll be telling you any bud Murphy's law says that if I don't have them in their needed I will be stopped so I don't need to deal with that. Kitchen everything should all be in by the beginning of next week unfortunately I have some seminars for Wednesday through Sunday next week. So I'll be checking that out and getting it installed and ready for when my 337rls arrives I will be ready for it. I went ahead an ordered a 5th wheel tailgate and we'll see how that does also. I have towed a puma tag along trailer for the last 6 years and this is my first 5th wheel.

**Tom in PGH** · 09-24-2019, 08:08 PM

Forgot to say that I run with the chains as well. Not sure where all we will be going, over time, and don’t want any issues either.

**Marauderer** · 09-29-2019, 07:51 AM

I installed the B&W Turnover ball gooseneck hitch yesterday

Hopefully today I will install the wiring harness and the Anderson adapter

**pawsitivecampinglife** · 11-03-2019, 11:04 AM

To save on any squeaking or rubbing you may get with the Andersen, they recommended a truck bed mat under the hitch. We picked one up at Tractor Supply and cut hole for the ball and chains. Has worked great and haven't had any issues. Before the bed mat, it was starting to make wear marks in the factory spray in bed liner and was starting to squeak. (Even with correct torque on all adjustments) Just make sure you put weight on the ball before doing your final torque of all bolts. We still love ours after over 25,000 miles of towing with it.

**Marauderer** · 11-03-2019, 01:18 PM

I got the mat and just have to cut the holes for the safety chains. I will take my torque wrench when I pick up my 337 tuesday and torque everything. I will also be using lock tite on the allen bolts to make sure they stay tight

**dannsh13** · 11-24-2019, 01:10 PM

The Andersen Ultimate hitch works well with the Reflection series, but the short bed truck you have to be careful not to do 90 degree turns on uneven ground. You will end up hitting the cab. Long bed trucks should not be a problem. You do not want to use the AUH with the Solitude Series. The front of the Solitude very large and will not allow a 90 degree turn with a short bed. You will blow out your back cab window if you are not careful. I also the AUH is marginal when it comes to the weight of the trailer. I am looking to sell my AUH. I am looking to go to a auto sliding hitch.. F350 deisel 6.5 bed. Solitude 375 RES. This conclusion was reached with much discussion with Grand Design and my RV dealer.+

**Greybeard46** · 01-09-2020, 01:27 AM

Actually, the AUH has one of the higher weight ratings of 5th wheel hitches. The aluminium model is rated at 24,000lbs and the steel version is rated at 20,000lbs.

**Kksfish** · 01-11-2020, 08:07 PM

I am using the Anderson with my 3500 Ram, short box and love the thing! I have no issues at all with chucking and no more back pain! My truck has the factory pucks and everything attaches and disconnects easily. My trailer is a 337.....

**cmully** · 01-22-2020, 06:14 PM

Hi there. Looking to get a 5th wheel. Would prefer a gooseneck as it frees up the bed much esier than the standard hitch but curious of your thoughts as I've heard trailering with a gooseneck vs standard could void the warranty of the coach as it increases the stress on the trailer in different or unprotected spots of the front.

Thanks.

**howson** · 01-22-2020, 07:02 PM

Originally posted by cmully View Post

Hi there. Looking to get a 5th wheel. Would prefer a gooseneck as it frees up the bed much esier than the standard hitch but curious of your thoughts as I've heard trailering with a gooseneck vs standard could void the warranty of the coach as it increases the stress on the trailer in different or unprotected spots of the front.

Thanks.

cmully--welcome to Grand Design's Technical Forum.

I see you're new, so may I pass on a usage tip? When replying to a post or asking someone a question, use the "Quote" function (like I just did) so the person (and post) you're addressing gets a notification (like you just did). Another option is to "tag" them. Use the @ symbol and then their forum name, like this: cmully

Please repost your question using one of the techniques above, OK?

Again, welcome!

-Howard

P.S. I know nothing about goosenecks or I'd have answered your question.

**Second Chance** · 01-22-2020, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by cmully View Post

Hi there. Looking to get a 5th wheel. Would prefer a gooseneck as it frees up the bed much esier than the standard hitch but curious of your thoughts as I've heard trailering with a gooseneck vs standard could void the warranty of the coach as it increases the stress on the trailer in different or unprotected spots of the front.

Thanks.

There is a lot of confusion in terminology surrounding the Andersen (and similar Pull-Rite UltraLite) hitches that use a ball and socket. THEY ARE NOT gooseneck hitches. Some of them attach to the truck bed using a turnover gooseneck ball, but the physics are much different than a gooseneck adapter. A true gooseneck adapter on a fifth wheel RV is a very bad idea. it puts torsional forces on the front of the trailer frame for which the frame was not designed. The Andersen Ultimate (and the Pull-Rite UltraLite) hitches do not put these torsional forces on the trailer frame and will not void your frame warranty. The Reese GooseBox is in a gray area - but since they are in bed with Lippert, the GooseBox will not void your frame warranty.

Rob

**Tophermiller** · 01-22-2020, 09:44 PM

Anyone know if Grand Design has ever weighed in on the topic of the Anderson Hitch? I am taking delivery of a new Momentum 351M soon and pretty much concluded the AUH is my only option. Why? Because I am going to be only a few hundred from my payload limit and I have a 6’4” bed in my RAM. I’m worried about the turning radius, but equally worried about the weight of most slider hitches. This seems to be the best compromise. Does Grand Design condone it or warn against it?

Announcement

Anderson Ultimate 5th wheel gooseneck hitch

Anderson Ultimate 5th wheel gooseneck hitch

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